June 3rd-9th, 2013
There is a tribe of people called the Badjao that live along the coast south of Illigan City on Mindanao Island in the Philippines. The Badjao are an ocean migrant people without a country and scavenge for survival. For the past 3 years, The AHAN Mindanao Learning Center has provided meals to the Badjao people; the only wholesome meal sometimes that the Badjao people have to eat.
This spring, the winds and waves of the monsoons were heavy, destroying the only community center the Badjao people had managed to build for themselves. Homma Kancho went to visit the Badjao people to check on the extent of the damage. After inspecting the destruction of the center, Homma Kancho made the decision to organize and fund a rebuilding effort to be spearheaded by AHAN Mindanao.
Estimating costs and making plans for construction.
AHAN Mindanao construction staff.
At the construction site, plans were made for the crew to raise bamboo floors and walls from the concrete foundation. Bamboo is the traditional material used in Mindanao and we wanted the new, New Life Center to match the other buildings in style and décor. The estimated completion date for the center was set for July.
Homma Kancho at the Dojo at leaders home.
Eating a meal together.
On this trip, Homma Kancho traveled with Ava Sensei to the town of Malawi about a two hour drive from Illigan, City. There he met with a leader of a local Moro Islamia resistance faction. There was a dojo in the home of this leader where a poster of Homma Kancho hangs; a sign of friendship between these two people from such different worlds. Over dinner ideas and opinions were discussed. The leader had become a commander in Mindanao since the last time they had met, and he was readying for a large offensive. Homma Kancho listened and only commented, “If you die, I will not be able to see you again. Do not die.”
On the way back to Illigan, the leader rode back in our car. He was armed with a 45 caliber pistol to protect us.
Actually, I think it was more dangerous to have him with us than if we traveled back to Illigan ourselves.
Saying goodbye, we promised to see each other again.
Reported by
Ava Yancha Sensei
AHAN Mindanao Learning Center
Nippon Kan General Headquarters Uchideshi Alumni
Nippon Kan Certificated Instructor